The Puffer Forum

Hey everyone,
I need to change tanks due to the start of a leak. Can I just put all of the water, substrate, decor, and HOB filters from my current tank and use them for my new tank without cycling the new tank? Since everything is just changing over to a new location should it be okay? I really hope so, and it really sucks because I really liked this tank but I don't want to come home to a new indoor pool one day, my landlord might not be too happy with that.

Yes you can. It may go through a mini cycle for a week or two but nothing to worry about. Or it may not even go through a mini cycle. I've done it several times before.

IDK why there would be any cycle at all, since all your bacteria is on the surfaces you will be moving.

You probably won't even need to put the all the old water in. Just the substrate, decor, and the HOB filter should be enough.

I'd add at least enough to fill 50% of the new tank with old water, if that's the amount of WC you have been doing normally.